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Archive for March, 2007

Amazing human beatbox

This "human beatbox" contestant on a French TV talent show has truly insane skills. He even manages to work in a sample of Kraftwerk's "Numbers"! The clip begins at level "awesome," and steadily proceeds into "utterly unreal."
Via

Posted: Sat 31-Mar-07 under People, Video & Audio

Know what you eat in France

Scene from the 1973 movie La Grande Bouffe.
This could be helpful: food writer Patricia Wells offers a downloadable French-English Food Glossary.
For many diners, the restaurant menu can present a confusing and intimidating barrier to the pleasures of dining out. The French language, of course, is no help with so many sound-alike words. It is so […]

Posted: Sat 31-Mar-07 under Food, Drink & Smoke, Language

Lies, damned lies, and unemployment stats

In an election year nothing works better for ruling parties than presenting rosy statistics. Unless those figures are damned lies.
This week, the French Labor Ministry proudly announced that unemployment in the country fell to 8.4%, its lowest level in 24 years. A nice boost for the conservative government weeks before presidential elections?
Not so, says Eurostat, […]

Posted: Sat 31-Mar-07 under Society, Statistics

The Work of Emeric Trahand

"the tv is broken"

"a whistle in the air"

"frankie"
In the artist's own words:
Self made designer, I've been practicing design in an intensive way since 2006 and have already been involved in many project such as webdesign, flyers, posters, cd design or visual identity for a number of organisations.
Beneath the threats of a steel sky, I'm now […]

Posted: Sat 31-Mar-07 under Art & Heritage

From Paris, Texas to Paris, France

According to Google Maps it's a long journey: 5,261 miles (about 30 days 5 hours).
The awkward bit is stage 27, from Long Wharf in Boston to the roundabout in Le Havre: Swim across the Atlantic Ocean (3,462 miles).
Route planner

Posted: Fri 30-Mar-07 under Country & Travel

TGV breaks world record in warm-up test

If all goes well, the French TGV will break the world rail speed record next Tuesday.
Update. During a warm-up test, the train already scored an unofficial top speed of 549 km/h 568 km/h (353 mph), beating the 1990 record of 515 km/h (320 mph).
For the official record attempt the manufacturer of the train, […]

Posted: Fri 30-Mar-07 under Created in France, Events

Trapped in squalor

Who can be happy in suburbs like this?
Excerpts from the Guardian: Trapped in squalor, young voters long for a candidate to give them hope.
Natalie Kouyate approached the graffiti-covered entrance of her decaying tower-block just as a large rat darted past the overflowing bins painted with "Fuck Nicolas Sarkozy".
In the lift to the 14th floor […]

Posted: Fri 30-Mar-07 under Society

French nun: "The Pope Did It"

Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre was suddenly cured from Parkinson's disease.
French nun's "miracle cure" puts John-Paul II on fast track to sainthood.
A French nun said today that she was inexplicably and suddenly "cured" of Parkinson's disease — a case that could prompt the Roman Catholic Church to beatify Pope John Paul II.
Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre stopped short of declaring her […]

Posted: Fri 30-Mar-07 under People, Events

Friday Girl: Edith Piaf

Edit Piaf sings Milord. (Video with English subtitles.)
Édith Giovanna Gassion, aka Édith Piaf (December 19, 1915–October 11, 1963) was one of France's most loved singers, who became a national icon.
Her music reflected her tragic life, with her specialty being the poignant ballad presented with a heartbreaking voice. Among her most famous songs are "La […]

Posted: Fri 30-Mar-07 under General

Petite Anglaise wins case against former boss

In case you've followed the much-publicized story of blogger Petite Anglaise: she won!
Catherine Sanderson, aka Petite Anglaise, sacked for allegedly bringing her employers into disrepute in her blog, has won her case in the French labour court Prud'hommes. The court awarded her a year’s salary (nearly 44,000 euros), plus costs. More details will become public […]

Posted: Thu 29-Mar-07 under People, Web

The Zidane of French comedy

“Jamel” is so famous in France that he has no need of a surname.
In France he’s a stand-up but Jamel Debbouze had a personal war-movie mission. Interview in Times Online.
According to some reports he’s the highest paid actor in France. However, for his most recent role in the film Days of Glory Debbouze not […]

Posted: Thu 29-Mar-07 under People

Angry with parking meters

Citizen on acid:
A 47-year old man in the East of France was so angry with newly installed parking meters in his town that he dowsed sixty of them with hydrochloric acid. Total damage: 130,000 euros.
Police were warned by motorists who couldn't get the heavily corroded meters to work, and detected a funny smell. It […]

Posted: Thu 29-Mar-07 under Oops

How much imagination do we need?

Riot police on stand-by in front of Sarkozy's campaign headquarters.
"Imagine tomorrow's France" is the campaign slogan used by law-and-order candidate Nicolas Sarkozy.
It doesn't take a lot of imagination to see what "tomorrow" will bring under his presidency.
Photo source | Via

Posted: Thu 29-Mar-07 under Politics, Society

Why Bin Laden won't attack the Airbus A380

Bin Laden waits for stock prices to climb.
I'm not sure how reliable this is: Al-Qaeda Leader Osama Bin Laden promises not to target Airbus A380 super Jumbo
Speaking to his followers via audio cassette Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden declared the 800 seat Airbus A380 as "off limits" for senseless terror attacks against innocents. According to […]

Posted: Thu 29-Mar-07 under Economy & Biz

The French don't do enough do-do

Too many diversions: the French sleep 90 minutes less than 50 years ago
Nearly one in two French think they don't sleep enough. Major causes: the increased travel time between home and work, and the time spent on home entertainment. Especially TV and the Internet offer too many sleep-depriving temptations.
On average, the French sleep 7 hours […]

Posted: Wed 28-Mar-07 under Society, Statistics

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